Flies drive me crazy!! No only are they attracted to my garden but to my chickens as well. I find nothing grosser than flies buzzing around the coop and near the chickens. So after much research, and many failed attempts, I have come up with a great fly deterrent.
There is no fool proof way to keep all flies away, especially with chickens, but you can keep many of them out of your yard. I am a big advocate for natural care for my family, yard, home, and animals, which means I use a lot of essential oils and other natural cleaners.
Here is my fly deterrent recipe:
In a large spray bottle mix 3/4 distiller water with 1/4 vodka, the vodka is a great cleanser and it helps the oils to stay in the air and on the items you spray with it for longer to aid the the deterring processes. Next add 3 full dropper fills of Neem oil, 10-20 drops of Peppermint essential oil, 15 droops of Lavender essential oil, and I like to add about 15 drops of Lemon essential oil. Shake well and spray on everything! If I am going to spray this on my chickens or dog or my self I dilute this way down to about a 1/4 of everything (and only do about 5 drops of Neem oil) and add in about 5 drops of Tee Tree essential oil and 2 or 3 of euculiptis especial oil. These extra oils will help keep other bug off of the animal and myself. I also only spray the mixture on the animals legs and backs, no where where it will get in their eyes and I do a test spot to make sure they are not allergic to the mixture.
Spray the mixture around doors of the house, chickens coop, in the coop, on the ground and around plants, it smells heavenly and will make your summer nights much more enjoyable!
Happy Homesteading!
CB-Chicken Keeping 